Yes, if you fell at the supermarket, you can sue the owner of the property. A personal injury lawyer in Ottawa will also be able to help determine if you may also be able to sue other parties that may be responsible for the property such as management companies and maintenance companies. Often, owners of properties will hire contractors to maintain the property and management companies who handle the management of the property. Liability for falls at supermarkets is governed by the Occupiers’ Liability Act of Ontario which provides that owners and occupiers of properties must take reasonable steps to ensure their property is safe for anyone using the property.
What liability do property owners have regarding safety?
In Ontario, the Occupiers’ Liability Act makes both owners and occupiers of properties responsible for the care and maintenance of a property and mandates that reasonable steps have been taken to ensure the property is safe. In many cases this includes having to conduct regular maintenance of the property and regular inspections of the property to identify any possible hazards on the property such as slippery surfaces, dangerous objects, pit holes, uneven surfaces and anything else that can cause a person to trip or slip and fall and be injured. What is considered reasonable in terms of maintenance, repairs and inspections depends on the type of business and nature of the activities performed on the property.
If you are injured in a fall, the first step is to seek medical attention. After that, find an experienced personal injury lawyer in Ottawa to discuss your case. Property owners have a responsibility to ensure their property is safe for visitors, and if they fail to do so, they can be held liable for any injuries that occur on their property. If you have been injured in a fall, contact QTMG Injury Lawyers for a free consultation.